Trans-NIH Jointly Sponsored T32 Steering Committee, (http://grants.nih.gov/training/joint_predoc/jointpredoc.htm)
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human
Development (NICHD)
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

Funding Opportunity Title

Jointly Sponsored Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research
Service Award Institutional Predoctoral Training Program in the Neurosciences
(T32)

March 14, 2014 - See Notice NOT-OD-14-070. Adjustments to May 25-28, 2014 Grant Application Due Dates.

February 21, 2014 - See Notice NOT-GM-14-104. Notice of Changes in NIGMS Support and Management of T32 Predoctoral Training Grants in the Neurosciences.

November 27, 2013 (NOT-OD-14-027) - NIH to Require Use of Updated Electronic Application Forms for Due Dates on or after January 25, 2014. Forms-C applications are required for due dates on or after January 25, 2014.

The Jointly Sponsored NIH Predoctoral Training Program in
the Neurosciences supports broad and fundamental research training in the
neurosciences via institutional NRSA research training grants (T32) at
domestic institutions of higher education. Trainees appointed to this
training grant are financially supported for either one or two years, during
the first 2 years of their graduate research training. The primary objective
is to prepare individuals for careers in neuroscience that have a significant
impact on the health-related research needs of the Nation.

Key Dates

Posted Date

January 24, 2012

Open Date (Earliest Submission Date)

April 25, 2012

Letter of Intent Due Date

April 25, 2012, April 25, 2013, April 25, 2014

Application Due Date(s)

May 25, 2012, May 25, 2013, and (Extended to May 29, 2014 per NOT-OD-14-070)
, Originally May 25, 2014, by 5:00 PM local time of applicant organization.

The overall goal of the NIH Ruth L. Kirschstein National
Research Service Award (NRSA) program is to help ensure that a diverse pool of
highly trained scientists is available in appropriate scientific disciplines to
address the Nation's biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research needs. More information about NRSA programs may be found
at the Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award
(NRSA) website.

This funding opportunity is designed to support outstanding
neuroscience programs that will provide predoctoral students with the skills
and knowledge necessary for successful pursuit of careers as independent neuroscientists.

Broad-based research training.
In keeping with the goals of the NIH Blueprint for Neuroscience Research (http://neuroscienceblueprint.nih.gov/),
the National Institute on Aging (NIA), National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and
Alcoholism (NIAAA), Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health
and Human Development (NICHD), National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA),
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS), National Institute of
Mental Health (NIMH), and the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and
Stroke (NINDS) are continuing this Jointly Sponsored Predoctoral Training
Program in the Neurosciences (JSPTPN). The aim of this program is to encourage and
support broad training in the neurosciences that will prepare students for
research in the mission of all of the participating institutes.

The JSPTPN financially supports students only during the
first two years of their graduate training. Graduate training programs
supported by this grant must have a two year, broadly-based training plan, but
may choose to use funds from this award to support students for either two
years or just a single year (the year(s) of support should be clearly specified
in the application). Trainees are expected to participate in a predoctoral
curriculum that provides broad and fundamental training in the neurosciences. This
curriculum should include education at multiple levels of analysis (which may
include, for example, genetic, molecular, cellular, systems, behavioral and/or
computational; note that not all programs will necessarily cover all levels of
analysis, but there must be enough coverage to be considered "broad").
In addition, programs are encouraged to expose students to basic, clinical and
translational research approaches. Programs should provide significant exposure
to the neuroscience of disease and disorders, and are strongly encouraged to
incorporate formal education in experimental design and statistics. Programs should
also provide students with broad exposure to experimental methodologies, because
success in future neuroscience research is likely to depend upon a working
knowledge of multiple methodological approaches to answering scientific questions.

There are many ways to achieve breadth of expertise, and the
format of the training program is up to the PD(s)/PI(s). For example, breadth
may be achieved through any combination of formal courses, significant laboratory
rotations, workshops and other programmatic activities. Programs may provide
specially tailored curricula based on individual trainee background and needs,
but in these cases, the breadth of knowledge, minimum expertise and research
experience expected of all trainees should be carefully described. Programs
should also provide students with outstanding mentoring, as well as training in
scientific skills such as written and oral presentation. Programs should
provide an environment that encourages students to apply for individual support,
such as fellowships and other individual awards from federal and non-federal
sources. Further, programs should provide training in the skills necessary to
prepare successful applications, such as grant writing, understanding the grant
submission and review process, and understanding and responding to critiques. It
is expected that the graduate program in general, and the JSPTPN-supported
program in particular, will undergo regular evaluation, in order to promote
innovation and evolution, as well as to bring attention to any deficiencies
that arise.

The Training PD(s)/PI(s) should limit appointments to
individuals who are committed to a career in research and who are committed to
obtaining a PhD degree. The proposed institutional research training program
may complement other ongoing research training and career development programs
at the applicant institution, but the proposed research training experiences
must be distinct from those research training programs currently receiving federal
support. For those institutions that also have MSTP programs, and who intend to
support MD/PhD students with funds from the JSPTPN funding opportunity, the PD(s)/PI(s)
should explain the plan by which MD/PhD students will be selected for support
and how he/she will ensure that the program supports primarily PhD students.
The PD(s)/PI(s) should also explain whether and how this program influences the
training of students not financially supported by this grant.

Oversight
of trainee mentoring and progression. In addition to
outstanding scientific training, formal mentoring and regular career guidance are
critical for advancement and success in science. Students who successfully obtain
a PhD degree should do so in a timely manner, and with 1) a publication record
that will allow them to progress to outstanding postdoctoral opportunities, 2)
oral and written skills that will facilitate their ability to publish their
results as first author, submit competitive grant applications and successfully
interview for future positions, and 3) an understanding of the many career
opportunities available to them as PhD scientists and what is required to
successfully compete for these different opportunities. These goals cannot be obtained
by students merely from their training during the first two years of graduate
school, but are met by a continuous exposure to relevant issues throughout
their training. Consequently, the application should describe the oversight
process by which the institutional graduate program monitors and ensures
appropriate student progress, mentoring and career guidance throughout the
student's graduate career. This process should be designed to promote the
highest possible level of trainee success. Although it is not required that
this oversight process be directly administered by this JSPTPN, the oversight
process used to ensure appropriate student training and progress throughout
their graduate school careers will be considered as part of the review of the
environment of the proposed JSPTPN. Proposed JSPTPN are encouraged to include
programmatic activities to help accomplish this goal. Such activities might
include, but are not limited to, 1) providing guidance regarding what is
necessary to succeed as independent scientists, 2) discussing milestones,
achievements and activities that promote success as independent scientists, and
3) providing programs to improve and/or complement the mentorship provided by
the preceptors/mentors.

Enhancing
workforce diversity. Within the framework of the NRSA program’s
longstanding commitment to excellence and projected need for investigators in
particular areas of research, attention must be given to recruiting and
retaining trainees from racial or ethnic groups underrepresented in the
biomedical, behavioral and clinical sciences and individuals with disabilities.
Faculty associated with the training program supported by this FOA should be
actively involved in the recruitment and retention of diverse students into this
institutional program, and in facilitating their success towards finishing the
program with the credentials to transition to an outstanding future position.

Section II. Award Information

Funding Instrument

Grant

Application Types Allowed

New
Renewal
Resubmission

The OER
Glossary and the SF 424 (R&R) Application Guide provide details on
these application types.

Funds Available and Anticipated Number of Awards

The number of awards is contingent upon NIH appropriations
and the submission of a sufficient number of meritorious applications.

Award Budget

Application budgets are not limited, but need to reflect
actual needs of the proposed project.

Grantees are expected to be familiar with and comply with
applicable cost policies and the NRSA Guidelines (NIH
Grants Policy Statement - Institutional Research Training Grants). Funds
may be used only for those expenses that are directly related to and
necessary for the research training not otherwise available and must be
expended in conformance with OMB Cost Principles, the NIH
Grants Policy Statement, and the NRSA regulations, policies,
guidelines, and conditions set forth in this document.

Award Project Period

Up to 5 years.

Other Award Budget Information

Stipends, Tuition, and Fees

Kirschstein-NRSA awards provide stipends as a subsistence
allowance to help defray living expenses during the research and clinical
training experiences.

NIH will contribute to the combined cost of tuition and fees at the rate in
place at the time of award.

Trainee travel to attend scientific meetings and workshops
that the institution determines to be necessary for the individual’s research
training experience is an allowable trainee expense. Up to $750 travel
allowance per year per trainee will be awarded, to be used exclusively for
trainee travel.

Indirect Costs (also known as Facilities &
Administrative [F&A] Costs) are reimbursed at 8% of modified total direct
costs (exclusive of tuition and fees and expenditures for equipment), rather
than on the basis of a negotiated rate agreement.

NIH grants policies as
described in the NIH
Grants Policy Statementwill
apply to the applications submitted and awards made in response to this FOA.

Section III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

Eligible Organizations

Higher Education Institutions

Public/State Controlled Institutions of Higher Education

Private Institutions of Higher Education

The following types of Higher
Education Institutions are always encouraged to apply for NIH support as Public
or Private Institutions of Higher Education:

All Program Director(s)/Principal Investigator(s) (PD(s)/PI(s))
must also work with their institutional officials to register with the eRA
Commons or ensure their existing eRA Commons account is affiliated with the eRA
Commons account of the applicant organization.

The sponsoring institution must assure support for the proposed program.
Appropriate institutional commitment to the program includes the provision of
adequate staff, facilities, and educational resources that can contribute to
the planned program.

The applicant institution must have a
strong and high quality research program(s) in the area(s) proposed
under this FOA and must have the requisite faculty and facilities on site to
conduct the proposed institutional program. In many cases, it is
anticipated that the proposed program will complement other ongoing research
training programs that exist at the applicant institution. It is expected that
most, or all, of the program faculty will have active research projects in
which participating trainees may gain relevant experiences consistent with
their research interests and goals.

For institutions with similar programs, the PD(s)/PI(s) must
explain what distinguishes this program from the others, how their programs
will synergize with one another, if applicable, and make it clear that the pools
of faculty and potential trainees, and existing resources, are robust enough to
support additional programs.

Foreign Institutions

Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Institutions) are
not eligible to apply.

Applicant organizations must complete the following registrations
as described in the SF 424 (R&R) Application Guide to be eligible to apply
for or receive an award. Applicants must have a valid Dun and Bradstreet
Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number in order to begin each of the following
registrations.

All Program Director(s)/Principal Investigator(s) (PD(s)/PIs)
must also work with their institutional officials to register with the eRA
Commons or ensure their existing eRA Commons account is affiliated with the eRA
Commons account of the applicant organization.

All registrations must be completed by the application due date. Applicant
organizations are strongly encouraged to start the registration process at
least four (4) weeks prior to the application due date.

Eligible Individuals (Program Director(s)/Principal Investigator(s))

Any individual(s) with the skills, knowledge, and resources
necessary to carry out the proposed research as the Program Director(s)/Principal
Investigator(s) (PD(s)/PI(s)) is invited to work with his/her organization to
develop an application for support. Individuals from underrepresented racial
and ethnic groups as well as individuals with disabilities are always
encouraged to apply for NIH support.

The PD(s)/PI(s) should be an established investigator in the scientific area in
which the application is targeted and capable of providing both administrative
and scientific leadership to the development and implementation of the proposed
program. The PD(s)/PI(s) will be expected to monitor and assess the program and
submit all documents and reports as required.

Applicant organizations may submit only one application in
response to this FOA.

NIH will not accept any application in response to this FOA
that is essentially the same as one currently pending initial peer review
unless the applicant withdraws the pending application. NIH will not accept any
application that is essentially the same as one already reviewed. Resubmission applications may be submitted, according to the NIH Policy on Resubmission
Applications from the SF 424 (R&R) Application Guide.

Mentors

Researchers from diverse backgrounds, including racial and
ethnic minorities, persons with disabilities, and women are encouraged to
participate as mentors. Mentors should have research expertise and experience
relevant to the proposed program. Mentors must be committed to continue their
involvement throughout the total period of the trainee’s participation in this
award. It is anticipated that most
mentors will have a
track record of successfully mentoring students. However,
inclusion of junior faculty, who may not have a substantial mentoring record,
is encouraged. When faculty with little mentoring experience are included, the PD(s)/PI(s)
should describe the process by which appropriate mentoring will be ensured.

Predoctoral trainees must have received a baccalaureate
degree by the beginning date of their NRSA appointment, and be enrolled in a
program leading to a PhD in science or in an equivalent research doctoral
degree program.

Training Program

This Kirschstein-NRSA institutional research training grant
must be used to support a program of full-time research training. Within the
full-time training period, research trainees who are also training as
clinicians must devote their time to the proposed research training and must
confine clinical duties to those that are a required, integral part of the
research training experience. The program may not be used to support studies
leading to the MD, DDS, or other clinical, health-professional degrees. It may
be used to support MD/PhD students who are engaged in full-time activities
associated with the PhD training. However, awards made under this FOA are
predominantly intended to support research training of PhD students, and
support for MD/PHD students should be limited at institutions with
NIH-supported MSTP programs. Trainees may not accept NRSA support from this
funding mechanism for clinical training of any kind.

Section IV. Application and Submission
Information

1. Requesting an Application Package

Applicants must download the SF424 (R&R) application
package associated with this funding opportunity using the “Apply for Grant
Electronically” button in this FOA or following the directions provided at Grants.gov.

2. Content and
Form of Application Submission

It is critical that applicants follow the instructions in
the SF424
(R&R) Application Guide, except where instructed in this funding opportunity
announcement to do otherwise. Conformance to the requirements in the
Application Guide is required and strictly enforced. Applications that are out
of compliance with these instructions may be delayed or not accepted for review.

Although a letter of intent is not required, is not binding,
and does not enter into the review of a subsequent application, the information
that it contains allows IC staff to estimate the potential review workload and
plan the review.

By the date listed in Part 1.
Overview Information, prospective applicants are asked to submit a letter
of intent that includes the following information:

The forms package associated with this FOA includes all
applicable components, mandatory and optional. Please note that some
components marked optional in the application package are required for
submission of applications for this FOA. Follow the instructions in the SF 424
(R&R) Application Guide to ensure you complete all appropriate “optional”
components.

Page Limitations

All page limitations described in the SF424 (R&R)
Application Guide and the Table of
Page Limits must be followed.

SF424 (R&R) Other Project Information Component

Follow all instructions provided in the SF424 (R&R)
Application Guide for Preparing Institutional Ruth L. Kirschstein National
Research Service Award (NRSA) with the following modification:.

Project Summary /Abstract

Provide an abstract of the entire application,
including the long-term goals and objectives of the program, key elements of
the research training plan, and brief descriptions of the planned research training
program. Include the rationale and design of the program, the plannedduration
and projected number of trainees, including their level (i.e., predoctoral) and
the graduate school years during which support from this award will be provided
(i.e. year 1, year 2 or years 1-2).

Training Budget Component

Follow all instructions provided in the SF424 (R&R)
Application Guide with the following modifications:

Include all personnel other than the Training PD/PI(s) in the
Other Personnel section.

Do not use the Research and Related (R&R) Budget Component

Use the PHS 398 Training
Budget form to include all allowable categories of funds requested to support trainees
in the program.

PHS 398 Research Training Program Plan

All Supplemental Instructions to the SF424 (R&R) for
Preparing Institutional Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award
(NRSA) Application must be followed, with the additional instructions described
below:

Particular attention must be given to the required Training
Data Tables. Applicants are encouraged to summarize what they view as
especially important results contained in the Data Tables (may include, but is
not limited to, for example, a summary of trainee publication and grant records,
faculty training records, outcome data, etc.) within the text of the
application. This summary does not replace the Training Data Tables, and
applicants are urged to ensure consistency between the summary and Table
information.

Program Administration (Component of Program Plan)

Describe the acknowledged strengths, leadership and
administrative skills, and scientific expertise of the Training PD(s)/PI(s).
Include active research and the planned strategy and administrative structure to
be used to oversee and monitor the program. For applications with multiple PD(s)/PI(s),
address the Leadership Plan and how the combined knowledge, skills and
experience of the individual PD(s)/PI(s) will enhance the likelihood of success
of the program.

Program Faculty (Component of Program Plan)

Describe the complementary expertise and experiences
of the proposed mentors for the scholars. Include active research and other
scholarly activities in which the mentors are engaged, as well as track records
of mentoring and training.

Proposed Training (Component
of Program Plan)

Provide an overview of the proposed program: Describe
the immediate and long-term objectives of the program, including training or career
development activities that will be used to ensure that the objectives of the
program are met. Include information about planned courses, curricula,
seminars, workshops, or tutorials that will be incorporated into the training program
and mentored research experiences and activities. Institutions with existing training
or career development programs must explain what distinguishes this proposal
from the others, how the programs will synergize, if applicable, and make it
clear that the number of faculty, number of potential trainees, and the
available resources are robust enough to support additional programs. The
description should include planned strategies to be used to ensure that the objectives
are met. The PD(s)/PI(s) should also describe his/her past training record, as
well as that of all mentors. Documentation of the success of former trainees in
transitioning to postdoctorate or independent scientific research careers
should be included. Programs should provide all NRSA trainees with additional
professional development skills and career guidance including instruction and
training in grant writing in order to apply successfully for future career
development and independent research support.

Program Evaluation (Component of Program Plan)

Describe an evaluation plan to review and determine
the effectiveness of the program. This should include plans to obtain feedback
from current and former trainees to help identify weaknesses and to provide
suggestions for program improvements, as well as plans for assessing trainees’
career development and progression, including metrics such as degree completion
(if applicable), publications, and subsequent positions. Specified evaluation
metrics should be tied to the goals of the program. Evaluation results should
be included in future competing continuation (renewal) applications and as part
of the Final Progress Report.

Trainee Candidates (Component of Program Plan)

Describe in general terms the pool of potential
candidates. For programs that draw students from a larger umbrella program,
describe the anticipated number and qualifications of students relevant to the
JSPTPN and how these metrics are determined. . Do not name prospective Trainees.
Describe plans to recruit candidates and explain how these plans will be implemented
(see also section on Recruitment and Retention Plan to Enhance Diversity). Describe
the criteria to be used for candidate evaluation in the selection of Trainees. Provide
brief summaries of training plans that the program will employ. The application
should contain a description of how training plans will be tailored to the needs
of the prospective candidates, taking into account their past experiences.

Institutional Environment and Commitment to the Program
(Component of Program Plan)

The application must include a statement from the
applicant institution describing the commitment to the planned program. The
institution must assure that essential time will be allowed for the PD(s)/PI(s),
other faculty and mentors .

Recruitment and Retention Plan to Enhance Diversity

Individuals are required to comply with the
instructions for Recruitment and Retention Plan to Enhance Diversity as
provided in Chapter 8 of the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.

Plan for Instruction in the Responsible Conduct of
Research

Individuals are required to comply with the
instructions for Plan for Instruction in the Responsible Conduct of Research as
provided in Chapter 8 of the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.

Appendix

Do not use the appendix to circumvent page limits.
Follow all instructions for the Appendix as described in the SF424 (R&R)
Application Guide.

3. Submission Dates and Times

Part I. Overview Information contains information about Key Dates. Applicants are encouraged to submit in
advance of the deadline to ensure they have time to make any application
corrections that might be necessary for successful submission.

Organizations must submit applications via Grants.gov, the online portal to find and apply for grants
across all Federal agencies. Applicants must then complete the submission
process by tracking the status of the application in the eRA Commons, NIH’s electronic system for grants
administration.

Applicants are
responsible for viewing their application in the eRA Commons to ensure accurate
and successful submission.

Information on the submission process and a definition of on-time
submission are provided in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.

All NIH awards are subject to the terms and conditions, cost
principles, and other considerations described in the NIH
Grants Policy Statement. The National
Research Service Award (NRSA) policies apply to this program. An NRSA
appointment may not be held concurrently with another Federally sponsored
fellowship, traineeship, or similar Federal award that provides a stipend or
otherwise duplicates provisions of the NRSA.

Pre-award costs are allowable only as described in the NIH
Grants Policy Statement. Note, however, that pre-award costs are not
allowable charges for stipends or tuition/fees on institutional training grants
since these costs may not be charged to the grant until a trainee has actually
been appointed and the appropriate paperwork submitted to the NIH awarding
component.

6. Other Submission Requirements and
Information

Applications must be submitted electronically following the
instructions described in the SF 424 (R&R) Application Guide. Paper applications will not be accepted.

For assistance with your electronic application or for more information on the electronic submission
process, visit Applying
Electronically.

Important
reminders:

All PD(s)/PI(s) must include their eRA Commons ID in
the Credential fieldof the Senior/Key Person Profile Component of the
SF 424(R&R) Application Package. Failure to register in the Commons
and to include a valid PD(s)/PI(s) Commons ID in the credential field will
prevent the successful submission of an electronic application to NIH.

The applicant organization must ensure that the DUNS number it provides on the
application is the same number used in the organization’s profile in the eRA
Commons and for the Central Contractor Registration (CCR). Additional
information may be found in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.

Upon receipt, applications will be evaluated for
completeness by the Center for Scientific Review, NIH. Applications that are
incomplete will not be reviewed.

Requests of $500,000 or more for direct costs in any year

Applicants requesting $500,000 or more in direct costs in
any year (excluding consortium F&A) must contact NIH program staff at least
6 weeks before submitting the application and follow the Policy on the
Acceptance for Review of Unsolicited Applications that Request $500,000 or More
in Direct Costs as described in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.
Applicants are advised to refer to Agency
Contacts for exceptions.

Post Submission Materials

Applicants are required to follow the instructions for
post-submission materials, as described in NOT-OD-10-115.

Section
V. Application Review Information

1. Criteria

Only the review criteria described below will be considered
in the review process. As part of the NIH mission,
all applications submitted to the NIH in support of biomedical and behavioral
research are evaluated for scientific and technical merit through the NIH peer
review system.

Overall Impact

Reviewers will provide an overall impact/priority score to
reflect their assessment of the likelihood for the program to exert a
sustained, powerful influence on the research field(s) involved, in consideration
of the following review criteria and additional review criteria (as applicable
for the project proposed).

Scored Review Criteria

Reviewers will consider each of the review criteria below in
the determination of scientific merit, and give a separate score for each. An
application does not need to be strong in all categories to be judged likely to
have major scientific impact.

Training Program and Environment

Are the research facilities and research environment
conducive to preparing trainees for successful careers as biomedical
scientists? Is the proposed program of training likely to ensure that trainees will be
prepared for successful and productive scientific careers? Do the courses and
research training experiences promote participation by all students in highly
significant, high quality science relevant to the aims of the program? Do the
objectives, design and direction of the proposed research training program
ensure outstanding, broad-based neuroscience training? Does the program provide
1) broad training in state-of-the-art methodologies and techniques, 2) adequate
training at multiple levels of analysis (e.g. genetic, molecular, systems,
etc.) and 3) adequate training in the neurobiology of disease, experimental
design and statistics? Does the environment include a formal mechanism to
provide oversight of mentoring, trainee progress and career guidance for the
duration of the trainees' graduate career, and is this mechanism designed to promote
the highest possible level of trainee success? Does the program provide
appropriate training in career skills such as oral and written presentation,
and grant writing? Does the graduate program supported by this award encourage
trainees to submit individual fellowship applications, when feasible and
appropriate? Is a significant level of institutional commitment to the program
evident? Does the program have a rigorous evaluation plan to assess the quality
and effectiveness of the training? Are effective mechanisms in place for
obtaining feedback from current and former trainees and monitoring trainees’
subsequent career development?

Training Program Director(s)/Principal Investigator(s)
(PD(s)/PI(s))

Does the Training PD(s)/PI(s) have the scientific
background, expertise, and experience to provide strong leadership, direction,
management, and administration to the proposed research training program? Does
the Training PD(s)/PI(s) plan to commit sufficient time to the program to ensure
its success? Does the Training PD(s)/PI(s) have a strong track record in
successfully training and mentoring students? Is sufficient administrative and
research training support provided for the program?

For applications designating multiple PD(s)/PI(s): Is a strong justification provided that the multiple PD(s)/PI(s) leadership
approach will benefit the training program and the trainees? Is a strong and
compelling leadership approach evident, including the designated roles and
responsibilities, governance, and organizational structure consistent with and
justified by the aims of the training program and with the complementary
expertise of each of the PD(s)/PI(s)?

Preceptors/Mentors

Are sufficient numbers of experienced
preceptors/mentors, with appropriate expertise and funding, available to
support the number and level of trainees proposed in the application? Do the
preceptors/mentors have strong records as researchers, including successful
competition for research support in areas directly related to the proposed
research training program? Do the preceptors/mentors have strong records of
training pre- and/or postdoctorates? Do the preceptor/mentors have a successful
record of training students who go on to outstanding postdoctoral positions? Is
there evidence of dedication of all preceptors/mentors to outstanding mentoring
of trainees? Is there evidence that preceptors/mentors will contribute to the
programmatic oversight of student progress and career development? Is there an
appropriate mixture of junior and established preceptors/mentors, and is there
a mechanism by which junior preceptors/mentors will obtain guidance from the
program to ensure their successful training and mentoring of trainees?

Trainees

Is a recruitment plan proposed with strategies to
attract high quality trainees? Are there well-defined and justified selection
criteria and retention strategies? Is there a competitive predoctoral applicant
pool in sufficient numbers to warrant the proposed size of the training?

Do trainees have an adequate opportunity to choose a
mentor consistent with the trainee's interests and long term goals? Is there a
sufficient strategy to monitor the progress of every trainee to ensure the
highest possible level of success for each trainee? Does the graduate program
supported by this award have an adequate oversight mechanism to ensure appropriate
student progress, mentoring and career guidance, throughout the student's
graduate career?

Training Record

How successful are the trainees (or for new
applications, other past students in similar training) in completing the
program? How productive are trainees (or for new applications, other past
students/fellows) in terms of research accomplishments and publications? How
successful are trainees (or other past students/fellows) in obtaining further
training appointments, fellowships, and career development awards? How
successful are the trainees in achieving productive scientific careers, as
evidenced by successful competition for research grants, receipt of honors or
awards, high-impact publications, receipt of patents, promotion to scientific
leadership positions, and/or other such measures of success? Does the program
have a rigorous evaluation plan to assess the quality and effectiveness of the
training? Are effective mechanisms in place for obtaining feedback from current
and former trainees and monitoring trainees’ subsequent career development?

Do trainees who obtain PhD degrees have publication
records, with respect to number, journal quality and authorship placement, that
would 1) be expected of outstanding neuroscience programs and 2) promote
continuation towards successful independent scientific careers? Do appropriate
numbers of trainees (or other past students/fellows) obtain outstanding subsequent
training appointments or excellent opportunities to use their training skills
in post-graduate positions? How successful are trainees in obtaining
fellowships and career development awards? How successful are the trainees in
achieving productive scientific careers, as evidenced by successful competition
for research grants, receipt of honors or awards, high-impact publications,
receipt of patents, promotion to scientific leadership positions, and/or other
such measures of success? Do students obtain degrees within an appropriate timeframe?
Does the program have an appropriate training record with regard to gender and
diversity?

Additional Review Criteria

As applicable for the project proposed, reviewers will
evaluate the following additional items while determining scientific and technical
merit, and in providing an overall impact/priority score, but will not give
separate scores for these items.

Protections for Human Subjects

Generally not applicable. Reviewers should bring any
concerns to the attention of the Scientific Review Officer.

Inclusion of Women, Minorities, and Children

Generally not applicable. Reviewers should bring any
concerns to the attention of the Scientific Review Officer.

Vertebrate Animals

Generally not applicable. Reviewers should bring any
concerns to the attention of the Scientific Review Officer.

Biohazards

Generally not applicable. Reviewers should bring any
concerns to the attention of the Scientific Review Officer.

Resubmissions

For Resubmissions, the committee will evaluate the
application as now presented, taking into consideration the responses to
comments from the previous scientific review group and changes made to the
project.

Renewals

For Renewals, the committee will consider the
progress made in the last funding period and the success of the program in
attracting and retaining individuals from diverse populations, including
populations underrepresented in biomedical and behavioral science. Does
the application describe the program’s accomplishments over the past funding
period(s)? Are changes proposed that would improve or strengthen the
training experience?

Did the program achieve appropriate outcomes for the
successful training of graduate students, including publications, first author
publications and future positions that have the potential to lead to successful
scientific careers? Is there evidence of a successful past training record of
the PD(s)/PI(s) and mentors, including the success of former trainees in
transitioning to outstanding post-graduate positions?

Revisions

Not Applicable.

Additional Review Considerations

As applicable for the project proposed, reviewers will
consider each of the following items, but will not give scores for these items,
and should not consider them in providing an overall impact/priority score.

Recruitment & Retention Plan to Enhance Diversity

Peer reviewers will separately evaluate the
recruitment and retention plan to enhance diversity after the overall score has
been determined. Reviewers will examine the strategies to be used in the
recruitment and retention of individuals from underrepresented groups. The
review panel’s evaluation will be included in an administrative note in the
summary statement. Plans to enhance diversity will be rated as acceptable or unacceptable, and the summary statement will provide the consensus of
the review committee.

Training in the Responsible Conduct of Research

Taking into account the specific characteristics of
the training program, level of trainee experience, and the particular
circumstances of the trainees, the reviewers will address the following
questions. Does the plan satisfactorily address the format of instruction,
e.g. lectures, coursework and/or real-time discussion groups? Do plans include
a sufficiently broad selection of subject matter, such as conflict of interest,
authorship, data management, human subjects and animal use, laboratory safety?
Do the plans adequately describe how faculty will participate in the
instruction? Does the plan meet the minimum requirements
for RCR, i.e., eight contact hours of instruction every four years? RCR plans will be rated as acceptable or unacceptable, and the summary
statement will provide the consensus of the review committee.

Select Agent Research

Reviewers will assess the information provided in
this section of the application, including 1) the Select Agent(s) to be used in
the proposed research, 2) the registration status of all entities where Select
Agent(s) will be used, 3) the procedures that will be used to monitor
possession use and transfer of Select Agent(s), and 4) plans for appropriate
biosafety, biocontainment, and security of the Select Agent(s).

Budget and Period of Support

Reviewers will consider whether the budget and the
requested period of support are fully justified and reasonable in relation to
the proposed research.

May undergo a selection process in which only those applications
deemed to have the highest scientific and technical merit (generally the top
half of applications under review) will be discussed and assigned an overall impact/priority
score.

Will receive a written critique.

Applications will be assigned on the basis of established PHS referral guidelines to the appropriate NIH Institute or Center. Applications
will compete for available funds with all other recommended applications . Following initial peer review, recommended applications will receive a second level of
review by the appropriate national Advisory Council or Board. The following
will be considered in making funding decisions:

Scientific and technical merit of the proposed project as
determined by scientific peer review.

Availability of funds.

Relevance of the proposed project to program priorities.

3. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates

After the peer review of the application is completed, the
PD(s)/PI(s) will be able to access his or her Summary Statement (written
critique) via the eRA Commons.

If the application is under consideration for funding, NIH
will request "just-in-time" information from the applicant as
described in the NIH
Grants Policy Statement.

A formal notification in the form of a Notice of Award (NoA) will be provided
to the applicant organization for successful applications. The NoA signed by
the grants management officer is the authorizing document and will be sent via
email to the grantee’s business official.

Awardees must comply with any funding restrictions described in Section IV.5. Funding Restrictions. Selection
of an application for award is not an authorization to begin performance. Any
costs incurred before receipt of the NoA are at the recipient's risk. These
costs may be reimbursed only to the extent considered allowable pre-award costs.

In general, trainees may receive stipends during the normal
periods of vacation and holidays observed by individuals in comparable training
positions at the sponsoring institution. For the purpose of these awards,
however, the period between the spring and fall semesters is considered to be
an active time of research and research training and is not considered to be a
vacation or holiday. Trainees may receive stipends for up to 15 calendar days
of sick leave per year. Sick leave may be used for the medical conditions
related to pregnancy and childbirth. Trainees may also receive stipends for
parental leave as described in NOT-OD-08-064.
A period of terminal leave is not permitted, and payment may not be made from
traineeship funds for leave not taken. Trainees requiring periods of time away
from their research training experience longer than specified here must seek
approval from the NIH awarding component for an unpaid leave of absence. Trainees
supported by academic institutions should refer to the NIH Institutional NRSA
training grant guidelines in the NIH
Grants Policy Statement for further guidance regarding vacations
and requested leave.

Inventions and Copyrights

Awards made primarily for educational purposes are exempted
from the PHS invention requirements and thus invention reporting is not
required, as described in the NIH
Grants Policy Statement.

Cooperative Agreement Terms and Conditions of Award

Not Applicable.

3. Reporting

The Non-Competing
Continuation Grant Progress Report (PHS 2590) and financial statements as described
in the NIH
Grants Policy Statement are required annually. Continuation support
will not be provided until the required forms are submitted and accepted. Chapter
8 of the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide, Additional Instructions for
Preparing a Progress Report for an Institutional Research Training Grant,
Including Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Awards, must be
followed.

Failure by the grantee institution to submit required forms
in a timely, complete, and accurate manner may result in an expenditure disallowance
or a delay in any continuation funding for the award.

The Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of
2006 (Transparency Act), includes a requirement for awardees of Federal grants
to report information about first-tier subawards and executive compensation
under Federal assistance awards issued in FY2011 or later. All awardees of
applicable NIH grants and cooperative agreements are required to report to
the Federal Subaward Reporting System (FSRS) available at www.fsrs.gov on all subawards over $25,000. See the NIH
Grants Policy Statement for additional information on this reporting
requirement.

Other Reporting Requirements

The institution must submit a completed Statement of
Appointment (PHS Form
2271) for each trainee appointed or reappointed to the training grant. Grantees
must submit the PHS 2271 data electronically using the xTrain system. More
information on xTrain is available at xTrain (eRA
Commons). An appointment or reappointment may begin any time during the
budget period, but not before the budget period start date of the grant year.

Additionally, a completed Payback Agreement Form (PHS 6031)
must be submitted for each postdoctoral trainee in his or her first 12 months
of support.

A notarized statement verifying possession of permanent residency
documentation must be submitted with the Statement of Appointment (Form PHS
2271). Individuals with a Conditional Permanent Resident status must first
meet full (non-conditional) Permanent Residency requirements before receiving
support.

Termination Notice: Within 30 days of the end of the total
support period for each trainee, the institution must submit a Termination
Notice (PHS
Form 416-7) via xTrain.
Trainees with service payback requirements must notify the NIH of any change in
address and submit Annual Payback Activities Certification Forms (PHS 6031-1)
until the payback service obligation is satisfied.

A final
Progress Report and the expenditure data portion of the Federal Financial
Report are required for closeout of an award as described in the NIH
Grants Policy Statement. Evaluation results should be included as part
of the final Progress Report.

4. Evaluation

In carrying out its stewardship of human resource-related
programs, the NIH may request information essential to an assessment of the
effectiveness of this program. Accordingly, trainees are hereby notified that they may be contacted after the completion of this award for periodic
updates on various aspects of their employment history, publications, support
from research grants or contracts, honors and awards, professional activities,
and other information helpful in evaluating the impact of the program.

Section
VII. Agency Contacts

We encourage inquiries
concerning this funding opportunity and welcome the opportunity to answer questions
from potential applicants.

Special Note:
Consultation with the Chair of the program's steering committee prior to
application preparation (see JSPTPN
website) is encouraged.